Ali Nazari, the chief editor, stated, “Following a complaint lodged by the IRGC’s Thar-Allah Headquarters, the Tehran Criminal Court has imposed a six-month prison term and a fine on Abbasi.”
The court proceedings regarding the charges against her took place in mid-June.
They are facing legal actions for charges of “spreading falsehood and disturbing public opinion.” Recent reports from media outlets like Haal Vsh, which covers incidents of human rights violations in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, have highlighted that the security personnel at Makki Grand Mosque apprehended an individual who was allegedly commissioned by the IRGC to carry out a terrorist act involving the poisoning of Molavi Abdolhamid.
In response to this thwarted terror attempt, the provincial Chief Justice has called for the security personnel of Makki Grand Mosque to provide evidence supporting these allegations, otherwise facing legal consequences.
Consequently, security forces have arrested several individuals who are relatives or close associates of Molavi Abdolhamid, including his grandson, Abolnasir Shahbaksh, and a 23-year-old cameraman named Osameh Shahbaksh, who works at the Mosque. Both individuals’ residences have been searched by security forces.
Despite the passing of six days since their arrests, there is still a lack of information regarding the whereabouts of some of these individuals.
According to reports obtained from HRANA, Alireza Abdi is currently incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Additionally, Narges Seydali confirmed her sister Mahvash Seydali’s arrest through a social media post. However, the specific reasons behind their arrests and the allegations against them remain undisclosed.
Clubhouse, a social audio app, is widely utilized by many Iranians who actively express their opinions and engage in discussions on various topics.
Today, on June 27, their lawyer Khosro Alikurdi revealed that the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Court has officially registered a legal case against my clients, Ali and Marzieh Adinezadeh.
On June 16, 2023, just before Abolfazl Adinezadeh’s birthday, security forces apprehended these individuals, along with Abolfazl Adinezadeh’s mother, Goldasteh Hosseini Jahanabad, and uncle, Reza Adinezadeh. They were subsequently detained in prisons located in Shirvan and Bojnurd.
Four days later, Marzieh and her parents were granted release on bail.
During the 2022 nationwide protest in Mashhad, Abolfazl Adinezadeh tragically lost his life when he was allegedly shot by regime forces, reportedly sustaining 25 bullet wounds.
Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests
The protests in Iran were triggered by the arrest of Mahsa Amini by the Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her subsequent suspicious death on September 16. The demonstrations quickly spread across the country, with participants rallying against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. Thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested during the nationwide protests.
According to Mehrabi’s lawyer, who spoke to HRANA, Mehrabi is currently detained in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. He was arrested for publishing online content that encouraged people to participate in protests. “So far, my colleagues and I have been denied the opportunity to represent my client,” his lawyer added.
On February 1, 2023, security forces arrested Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was initially released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested just a few hours later at his residence. A reliable source close to his family revealed that the reason for his re-arrest was a social media post he published.
Zarei received a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “sectarian propaganda in favor of anti-regime groups.” He will serve his sentence at his residence, with the limitation of movement within a one-kilometer radius from his house.
According to a reliable source close to Zarei’s family who spoke to HRANA, he has also been subjected to additional penalties, including social restrictions for five years, a ban on engaging in online social activities, a two-year travel ban, and a fine of 500 million Rial.
Zarei was arrested on April 29, 2023, by security forces in Shiraz and was released after 22 days of detention on a 1.2 billion Tomans bail from Adelabad Prison. Zarei, who is approximately 43 years old, is a Judo Coach and a resident of Shiraz.
According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Hamshahri, five transgender citizens were apprehended in the Afsariyeh district of Tehran.
The incident unfolded when a self-proclaimed religious enforcer took it upon themselves to interfere with these citizens, citing the religious duty of “enjoining good and forbidding wrong,” ultimately resulting in the arrest of these transgender individuals. Consequently, legal action has been taken against them.
The recently published video captures their forced confession, in which they express remorse for their behaviour and appearance. The identities of these individuals remain unknown at present.
Recognition of transgender identity in Iran is solely contingent upon undergoing state-supported sex reassignment surgery. Additionally, there are instances where homosexual individuals are coerced into undergoing such surgeries to alleviate legal and social pressures.
The recent ruling states that Sabet will serve five years for charges of “blasphemy,” two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years in prison for the first charge.
Sabet was arrested in November-December 2021 by security forces at his residence and released on bail after about one month.
Sabet was originally arrested in November-December 2021 at her residence by security forces. She was later released on bail after approximately one month.
In March-April 2022, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court initially sentenced Sabet to two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran” and one year for “propaganda against the regime on the internet.” Subsequently, she received an additional one-year sentence for “insulting regime authorities and officials.” Currently, she is serving the latter sentence outside of prison under curfew, monitored by an electronic tag.
According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.
According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.
The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.
According to a reliable source close to Moradi’s family, who spoke with HRANA, the arrest took place as IRGC intelligence agents intercepted Moradi while he was leaving his residence. He was detained in a detention facility in a nearby village.
“Moradi was arrested following publishing a post on social media,” the source added.
The exact grounds for Moradi’s arrest remain undisclosed at this time, and the allegation against him is yet to be revealed.
It is worth noting that Moradi had previously been arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022. Following a period of 30 days in custody, he was released after receiving amnesty in accordance with the “pardon and commutation” directive.
Jahantab was apprehended during the November 2019 protests. Subsequently, the Behbahan Criminal Court convicted him of “destruction and setting fire to banks and public properties,” resulting in a ten-year sentence. Additionally, he received an extra one-year in prison and 74 lashes for charges related to “disturbance of public order.” The appellate court upheld the verdict, confirming the ten-year sentence for the primary charge.
The November 2019 protests were triggered by a surge in fuel prices, leading to demonstrations in numerous cities across the country. Seyed Hossein Taghavi, the spokesperson for the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated that approximately 7,000 individuals were arrested during these protests. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that hundreds of people lost their lives as a result of the actions carried out by the security apparatus.
